Russian hockey star Pavel Datsyuk thrilled
Detroit Red Wings’ fans for 15 years from 2001 to 2016 when he deeply
disappointed them by announcing he’d be heading back to his homeland to finish
out his pro career. The 38-year-old centre still had a year to run on his
multi-million dollar, long-term contract in Motown, but felt the time was right
to return to Russia because of family reasons. Most fans were upset that they’d
miss Datsyuk’s hair-raising skills, but some felt he betrayed the Red Wings
franchise because it still had to carry his $7.5 million 2016/17 paycheque
against the league salary cap. Luckily for the Wings, they were able to unload
Datsyuk’s salary on the Arizona Coyotes via a draft-day trade.
With the sour taste of the contract
situation being rectified, Red Wings and NHL fans in general will now be
saddened at Datsyuk’s departure based on his hockey talent alone. He’s now
skating for SKA St. Petersburg in the European-based Kontinental Hockey League
and adapting to the new on-ice surroundings very quickly. After six games for
St. Petersburg, Datsyuk has been in fine form with four goals and three
assists. He’s on pace for at least a point per game this season after
struggling somewhat in the NHL last campaign with 16 goals and 33 assists for
49 points in 66 outings.
Datsyuk has had injury problems to deal
with over the past few years though and played in just 164 regular-season games
for Detroit over the past three seasons. He’s no stranger to the KHL though as
he racked up 36 points in 31 games in 2012/13 when the NHL campaign was
shortened due to labour problems. St. Petersburg will have to do without
Datsyuk’s services for the next few weeks though as he will be playing for
Russia at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey tournament in Toronto. Russian fans
shouldn’t be surprised that Datsyuk has adapted so quickly to the KHL game as
he’d be an effective player in any league in the world.
The 5-foot-11-inch centre fell just short
of the 1,000 game milestone in the NHL due to his recent injuries as he suited
up for 953 regular-season contests and contributed 918 points on 314 goals and
604 assists. He also chipped in with 113 points in 157 playoff encounters and
helped the Red Wings win Stanley Cups in 2001/02 and 2007/08. Datsyuk kicked
off his pro career by playing five seasons in the Russian Hockey Super League
(RSL) from 1996 to 2001. The youngster scored 102 points in 168 games in the
RSL and the Red Wings obviously felt he had something to offer. However, they
didn’t select him until they took a chance with the 171st overall
pick in the 1998 NHL Draft.
Since making his NHL debut in 2001, Datsyuk
has proven to be one of the most consistent, sportsmanlike, and exciting hockey
players on the planet. He played in four Olympic Games and captained his
teammates in 2014 when they were held in Sochi, Russia. He took home the Frank
J. Selke Trophy three times as the top defensive forward in the NHL and won the
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy four straight years for sportsmanship and performance
and sportsmanship. Datsyuk’s dazzling offensive game never suffered while he
took care of duties in his own end of the ice and was seen as a complete
200-foot player.
Datsyuk also played in several
International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships and won numerous
individual NHL awards and honours during his career in North America. While
Datsyuk has just left Detroit and the NHL, fans should take the opportunity to
appreciate his skills during the World Cup of Hockey event while they can. This
could be the very last time he plays in competitive games on North American
soil before retiring.
Labels: Ian Palmer